35 Chapter 17.5: Interviewing The Finalists (1/2)

Having survived the preliminaries we got some much-deserved rest, still... it was shorter than we had hoped. Having said we got a week to rest, we all knew that was too good to be true. The goddess wanted to ride the hype of the tournament cutting 7 days down to 1.

Well... we still had the opportunity to enjoy the festivities and rest a bit before the big finals.

Not everyone was pleased with the results.

Yami looked kind of depressed even, wanting to join the finals with me. She must have taken it rather hard.

Even Akenõ looked frustrated by his loss.

Wondering about his opponent I approached him.

”That was a close fight wasn't it?”

Akenõ looked at me disgusted by loss and jealousy.

”Hmm came to rub in your victory, young one...?”

”No... no... nothing of the sort, to be honest, I don't even know how I had won... it is all kind of a blur to me haha. No, the reason I came to you was to tell you that I was proud to be able to fight you during this tournament. And to ask about your last opponent.

It seemed like you knew him...”

”Heh! So that's why you came to me,

I thought it was weird for you not to go straight to your little Wolfle friend first. Snooping out the competition huh?”

Realizing I had forgotten about Yami I had to make it quick so I could go looking for her.

”Shit! You're right... I have to go look for her, but first, tell me what happened on the field.”

Akenõ took a leisurely position and began to laugh.

”Hahaha, idiot... there's not much to tell. We both grew up in the same village. We both survived the harsh ways of the chieftain giving us excellent survival skills. I use other magic than him, still... our element is the same, he can also manipulate fire.

Want my advice?”

I nodded in agreement.

”I suggest either taking him out with a group or catch him off guard with stealth. Either way, I think your chances might be slim...”

I thanked Akenõ for his advice even though he was a bit hot-headed. Soon after I quickly began searching for Yami. I rushed through the crowd when the announcer began talking to the public.

”Dear citizens of Sharoo and cities around, we would like to take this brief moment of rest to get to know our finalists better. Helena here has requested this in terms of the excitement to come.

So our first finalist of today...”

The announcer walked towards Geo not caring for others who like to share the spotlight with him or rather grab it for themselves.

Just before the announcer arrived Geo could be seen flirting with a lady close to him, it looked like he succeeded in gaining her attention. The announcer now standing next to him began his interview.

”Geo, as our first finalist of the tournament we would like to have a few comments of you. The people here are interested in where your origins might form...

Seeing you like the attention of the ladies, might I suffice to say that with glory comes power and with power responsibility, yet also money and women haha.”

Listening to the announcer you could see a slight twinkle in Geo's eyes, it was clear what he was thinking about.

”So, Geo... tell us, what is your story, why are you here? What is the reason you decided to enter this tournament here in Sharoo? Did you come just for the fame and glory of it all?”

Geo with an arm around the middle of the lady turned towards the announcer, gently singing him to hand off the microphone. The announcer gave him the microphone when Geo suddenly busted out in heavy shouting.

”WHO DO YOU THINK I AM?! Sure the fame and glory are nice... but my reason isn't as shallow as that...

For you see... I am a man!! A man of simple needs who has a mystery to solve.

I was sent from my hometown to find out my true heritage, am I noble? A peasant? Maybe a hero? Or even a villain? No one knows... that it for me, Geo to find out!!”

Surprised about this statement the announcer tried to jank back his microphone and barely succeeded, tipping over towards the crowd. Trying to cover his blunder he instantly went on his way in the search for the second finalist.

While the announcer went on his way I tried to find Yami, tight as the crowd was, I still managed to move forward. Remembering where I saw her last I tried going back to the same spot. But she was nowhere to be found...

Not giving up on my search I tried to go back to the waiting room, the place where the contestants could clear their heads. Surely all the finalists were here, but still no sign of Yami...

”Hmm... where could she have gone? She wouldn't go far, would she?”

I kept on running, looking left and right when I finally found her in a corner curled up as she held her knees.

Something was on her mind, she looked really sad.

I slowly approached her and gently sat down next to her.

”So this is where you were... I was worried about you silly. Didn't you say you would never leave my side? Come, raise your head I am here now...”

I gently caressed her head as I tried to calm her down. Her ears who previously were hanging down suddenly shot up, like her ears so did her tail as she gently raised her head.

She faced me, looking at me with watery eyes.

Has she been crying?

”What's wrong Yami? You can tell me.”

I gently wiped away her tears.

Embarrassed by this she hid her face. Tightly hugging me. Thinking she needed a hug I too hugged her tightly.

”Yami is useless master... she failed at aiding you,

Her master... Yami is too embarrassed to show her face to master... Yami afraid that she can't stay with master...”

Hugging her tight I gently petted her head.

Hoping to give her the feeling that she was saved.

”Yami... I understand you want to prove yourself and be there for me, but understand that you being by my side is one of the most important things to me...

So, you gave it your all and lost, that doesn't matter.

What matters is that you enjoyed it and in doing so learned new things.

Don't ever go thinking that I don't want you near me because of this, because you are my precious friend Yami. Even if you might lose today there is always a next chance tomorrow. We will train and become stronger gaining experience from our failures.

Never give up and always climb back up after falling. Then... you can be proud of yourself.

Now... will you cheer for me during the finals?”

Filled with joy Yami jumped up hugging me tight and snuggling my neck

”Yes! Yami will always be there for master... l

master is Yami's friend and friends support each other.”

”Now let's go see what the announcer wants from all of us.”

On our way back we noticed that the announcer had already interviewed Alessia and Leonardo. As he quickly went on towards Bleiz I made sure to listen carefully.